Decide Whether to Self-Publish or Seek a Publisher

You have a manuscript almost ready and a fork ahead: chase a publisher or do it yourself. This weighs what traditional publishing takes from you, rights, royalties, control, time, against the distribution and credibility it offers, and lays out the self-publishing trade-offs plainly. For authors deciding the route before sending a single query.

<context>
You have completed or nearly completed {WORK_TYPE} (a novel, non-fiction book, poetry collection, or illustrated work) and are deciding between traditional publishing and self-publishing.
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<task>
**Evaluate the self-publish vs traditional publishing decision for your work:**
1. Traditional publishing: what you give up (rights, royalties, control, timeline) and what you gain (distribution, credibility, editorial support)
2. Self-publishing: what you gain (speed, royalties, control) and what you must provide yourself (editing, design, marketing, distribution)
3. Financial reality: typical advances, royalty rates, and self-publishing income comparisons
4. Your specific goals: is this about income, reach, creative control, or credibility?
5. Hybrid and alternative routes: small presses, digital-first, serialisation
</task>

<output_format>
- Comparison table: traditional vs self-publishing across 8 factors
- Goal-matching guide: which route fits which primary objective
- Recommended route for the stated situation with reasoning
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